Triple halts McIlroy charge, not his return to form

Rory McIlroy contemplates his position in the water at the fifth. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieRory Mcilroy spoke to TV and radio, headed to change his shoes and then banged them on a locker door in frustration as he headed for the exit and a flight out of Rochester. His discontent was understandable after his potential final round charge was halted almost before it began when he ended up in Allen’s Creek and took a triple bogey seven just five holes into the final round of the US PGA.

McIlroy back in the ball game after sensational Oak Hill finish

Rory McIlroy is six shots off the lead with a round to go at the US PGA. Photo: Anthony Powter/www.golffile.ieWatch out. Rory McIlroy has that Quail Hollow feeling again after he produced a sensational birdie-birdie finish to give himself an outside chance of US PGA glory at Oak Hill.

'Cellophane bridge' for Lowry, Clarke and McDowell

Shane Lowry putts on the 10th at Oak Hill. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieShane Lowry was frustrated not to turn it on for massive crowds in the US PGA but a good finish could still give him a chance of more big time golf this season - at the Seve Trophy.

Tom Watson - McIlroy will find it in the dirt

Tom Watson belieces practice is all that Rory McIlroy needs to get back to the top. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieUS Ryder Cup Tom Watson dismissed off-course problems as the reason for Rory McIlroy’s 2013 slump and believes he must find his mojo in the dirt of the range. Judging by McIlroy’s 67 at Oak Hill last night, he might just be right.

Lowry and GMac ready for moving day, Harrington waiting his turn

Graeme McDowell laments a missed chance at Oak Hill’s 15th. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieThe putting gods did not smile on Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry or Graeme McDowell over the first two days of the US PGA at Oak Hill. But while Harrington can no longer do anything about it having missed the cut by four shots, McDowell and Lowry are keen to show they’re playing a lot better than their position on the leaderboard suggests.

McIlroy in re-boot revival at Oak Hill

Rory McIlroy was relieved and excited by his performace at Oak Hill.Rory McIlroy refused to throw in the towel, keeping his US PGA hopes alive and re-booting his season with a gutsy finish at a soggy Oak Hill.

McDowell and Lowry see glass half full

With no sharp edge, Harrington struggles in Rochester

Padraig Harrington hits his tee shot on the seventh. He ended up making double bogey. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieJudging a lie in the deep cabbage at Oak Hill is about as a exact a science as forecasting the Irish weather. The minute you think you’ve got it cracked, you end up completely and utterly destroyed.

McIlroy's real targets? More duels with Tiger

Short back and sides but he’s still got a mop on top. Rory McIlroy shows off his hairdo at Oak Hill. Picture: Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieForget about his video reminders, his haircut, his desire to prove people wrong or his insistence on solving his problems his way. Rory McIlroy is looking beyond this week’s US PGA to the day when his game is back in shape. There’s only one gold standard and it’s not set by the press. Put simply, There’s just one man he wants to beat - Tiger Woods.

Harrington cuts himself some slack - "I’m a lot more patient...more tolerant. I’m more like me"

Padraig Harring during Tuesday’s practice round for the US PGA at Oak Hill. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieA lot can happen in five years. If you’re Padraig Harrington, it’s been five years of disappointments and frustrations, leading to the conclusion that not only is trying recreate the magic formula an object in futility, the formula only worked for a person who no longer exists. Even the opposition has changed.

Lowry happy to chip away

Shane Lowry and caddy Dermot Byrne in front of the Oak Hill clubhouse. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieShane Lowry almost chips in from the back of ninth at Oak Hill and a wide smile spreads across his face. His caddie, Dermot Byrne, smiles too.

McIlroy insists he's "getting there"

Rory McIlroy speaks during his press conference at Oak Hill on Monday. Rory McIlroy insists his current “slump” is nothing compared to last year’s early season struggles and reckons his game is close to clicking into place in time to challenge for a third major win in next week’s US Open at Merion.